How to make a classic Martini: everything you need to know about the classic cocktail

Did you know that a classic Martini is made with gin, not vodka? Yes, it’s true!

Fun fact #2: James Bond got it totally wrong and you should always stir a Martini, not shake it!

Right, now we’ve cleared those two important things up, on with the rest of the cocktail recipe! And honestly, it couldn’t be simpler.

Oh, and by the way: you can get your hands on everything you need to make the perfect Martini (just the way you like it!) by heading to our online shop and ordering our classic Martini cocktail bundle. We’ve chosen a really beautiful craft gin (Salcombe gin, of course!) and one of the best vermouths - so you can start creating a bar-quality Martini at home right away!

• Pop your gin and the martini glass in the freezer for at least half an hour before using
• Add a handful of ice cubes to a mixing glass then pour in the chilled gin and vermouth
• Stir gently around the rim for 30 seconds, then strain into the chilled Martini glass
• Squeeze your sliver of fresh lemon peel over the drink’s surface (shiny side down) to release the oils, then drop it in the drink
• Alternatively, pop three olives onto a cocktail stick and rest it across the glass

Pop your gin and the martini glass in the freezer for at least half an hour before using

Add a handful of ice cubes to a mixing glass then pour in the chilled gin and vermouth

Stir gently around the rim for 30 seconds, then strain into the chilled Martini glass

Squeeze your sliver of fresh lemon peel over the drink’s surface (shiny side down) to release the oils, then drop it in the drink

Alternatively, pop three olives onto a cocktail stick and rest it across the glass

*Try 60ml gin with 15ml dry vermouth to start, then play around to find your ideal ratio.

The term ‘dry’ refers to the amount of dry vermouth used in your Martini. Here’s the golden rule to remember: the less vermouth you use, the “dryer” it is; the more vermouth you use in your cocktail, the “wetter” the Martini!

There are many terms coined for the different ratios of vermouth to gin.

• A Naked Martini is around 10 parts gin to 1 part vermouth - literally just a spray or quick swirl of vermouth in the glass!
• A Wet Martini is generally considered to be a 2:1 ratio of vermouth to gin
• The Fifty-Fifty version is equal parts dry vermouth and gin
• Some people call the ‘Perfect Martini’ a combination of equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, balanced with the same quantity of gin.

A Naked Martini is around 10 parts gin to 1 part vermouth - literally just a spray or quick swirl of vermouth in the glass!

A Wet Martini is generally considered to be a 2:1 ratio of vermouth to gin

The Fifty-Fifty version is equal parts dry vermouth and gin

Some people call the ‘Perfect Martini’ a combination of equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, balanced with the same quantity of gin.

Feel free to experiment until you find the level of ‘dryness’ that you most enjoy!

Once you’ve mastered the perfect classic Martini recipe, you might like to try your hand at a few variations.

Below, we’ve chosen five of the best alternative versions of the traditional recipe, including the much-loved Dirty Martini; the Gibson (as popularised by hit TV show ‘The Queen’s Gambit’!), and a couple of others we absolutely love here at Craft Gin Club HQ. They are all incredibly simple so there’s nothing stopping you!

There are a multitude of variations on the classic Martini recipe. Try any one of these easy tweaks to see which is your favourite!

• Swap your olives for pickled cocktail onions and you’ve made a new drink: the Gibson!
• Add two parts olive brine along with an olive garnish to turn this into a Dirty Martini.
• Blood Orange Martini: replace the vermouth with the equivalent in freshly squeezed blood orange juice.
• Smoky Martini Use the above method with 50ml gin and 5ml Scotch whisky instead of vermouth. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
• Breakfast Martini: Shake or stir 60ml gin, 20ml lemon juice and 1tbsp orange marmalade in a glass-filled shaker or mixing glass until well combined. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Swap your olives for pickled cocktail onions and you’ve made a new drink: the Gibson!

Add two parts olive brine along with an olive garnish to turn this into a Dirty Martini.

Blood Orange Martini: replace the vermouth with the equivalent in freshly squeezed blood orange juice.

Smoky Martini Use the above method with 50ml gin and 5ml Scotch whisky instead of vermouth. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Breakfast Martini: Shake or stir 60ml gin, 20ml lemon juice and 1tbsp orange marmalade in a glass-filled shaker or mixing glass until well combined. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Ready to start mixing up your Martinis? Here’s what you can get in our Martini cocktail bundle in our online shop:

• A bottle of Salcombe Start Point gin. With its silky smooth texture and classic London dry palate, this gin works brilliantly in a Martini.
• A bottle of Londinio, an amazing dry vermouth that has a base of British white wine.

A bottle of Salcombe Start Point gin. With its silky smooth texture and classic London dry palate, this gin works brilliantly in a Martini.

A bottle of Londinio, an amazing dry vermouth that has a base of British white wine.

Meet more members of the Martini family with our tasty recipes related to the original, whether you like something aromatic, crisp, or a little more classic:

• Said to be the Father of the classic martini, indulgent and super sophisticated - check out the staple Martinez cocktail.
• Rosé 50/50 Martini is dangerously easy to drink - thanks to its aromatic, floral flavour.
• Tuxedo No. 2 Martini is another classic cocktail worth taking note of. We love how the bitters are effortlessly balanced by the cherry liqueur.

Said to be the Father of the classic martini, indulgent and super sophisticated - check out the staple Martinez cocktail.

Rosé 50/50 Martini is dangerously easy to drink - thanks to its aromatic, floral flavour.

Tuxedo No. 2 Martini is another classic cocktail worth taking note of. We love how the bitters are effortlessly balanced by the cherry liqueur.